So my parents desktop died last night and we had to format the drive to get it running again, which deleted Vista off the machine. I reinstalled it with no product key and today I went to enter the one that came with the machine and it said it was invalid. I called the help line and they said that the key that I told them was for Microsoft Office 2007, which makes no sense because this was the only key that came with the whole computer. We bought the computer 3 months ago and it came preloaded with Vista and came with a re-installation disk. The key came on a sticker that is supposed to be put on the machine, but we decided not too. I wrote down what the product ID key was when it was running, and tried entering that and still no dice. What am I suppose to do? Microsoft has really screwed me this time!

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Use the key on the sticker, if you have it.

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Thats the problem, it wont work...

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Did the computer come from a big-box manufacturer or was it a small systems builder>

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With previous versions of windows you could find out the product key for your copy of Windows easily, but in windows vista it is encrypted. However all is not lost. You should be able to find it by using this piece of software That you own!

About.com: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

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you could always look around for a Vista key and then when they ask you for the activation key, then just use the phone activation and activate it. I would give you my activation key but im in florida and i happened to put the sticker on my PC hahaha, but when i get back and you still need it, ill give it to you, just ask!

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What is a physical body. The body is merely an object. It is a form of existence far too impure to store the gods within us called souls. Now you will remember. The bloodstained history. Material desire. Hunger. Sexual Drive. Desire to dominate. Desire for fame. Humanity. As long as there is a body, desires will be born. The human ego will never disappear as long as desire remains present. Humans will continue to fight to fulfill their bodies desires and it will never end. At this rate there is no future.

This is a little embarrassing to admit, but I actually found the key...it was on a sticker on the back of the computer...

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Triboot Xp, Vista, and Ubuntu WD 250g

Usually is

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yay!!! wooh for taco!! enjoy! ha, not. Vista sucks

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Glad you found it

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It's most likely an OEM version, and that version cannot be legally transfered to another PC btw. Only retail copies can be moved from PC to PC. According to Microsoft, the Mainboard counts as the computer, so unless your using the same mobo, it's illegal to transfer it.

Huh...the computer that had vista pre-loaded came with an OEM copy of Vista, but it also had a key on the back of it that hadn't been activated by any other computer. Could this possibly be a mix up with Gateway?

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Intel E4500 Dual Core ~2.2ghz
Radeon 2400PRO ~525Mhz w/ 512mb
Triboot Xp, Vista, and Ubuntu WD 250g

could be, but most likely in your favor!

__________________
What is a physical body. The body is merely an object. It is a form of existence far too impure to store the gods within us called souls. Now you will remember. The bloodstained history. Material desire. Hunger. Sexual Drive. Desire to dominate. Desire for fame. Humanity. As long as there is a body, desires will be born. The human ego will never disappear as long as desire remains present. Humans will continue to fight to fulfill their bodies desires and it will never end. At this rate there is no future.

Very much in my favor

__________________
Intel E4500 Dual Core ~2.2ghz
Radeon 2400PRO ~525Mhz w/ 512mb
Triboot Xp, Vista, and Ubuntu WD 250g